Evaporator



Jan. 3, 1933.

F. R. ERBACH EVAPORATOR l Filed sept. 5. 1950 2 sheets-Sheet l BY M/m Jan. 3, 1933. F. R. ERBACH 1,893,361

EVAPORATOR Filed sept. 5. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .135 zig. 6T

I N VEN TOR.

Fesose/c/:Beancff Y Patented Jan. 3, 1933,"

UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK R. ERBACH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T KELVINATOR CORPO- RATION, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN nvAroRAToR I Application -led September 5, 1930. Serial No. 479,951. i

This invention relates to refrigerating ap- 'paratus and more particularly to a refrigerant evaporator of the flooded type.

The principal object of this invention is to provide .a refrigerant evaporator having a large heat exchange surface which is secured through the use of fins carried by conduits associated with an evaporator header.

Another object of this invention is to provide an evaporator having large heat exchange surface extending principally in a vertical rather than a horizontal direction.

In the drawings: Figure I 1s a vertical cross sectional vlew of one embodiment of this invention.

Figure II is an end view in elevation of the structure shown in Figure I Figures III and V are side elevational views of other embodiments ofthe invention.

Figures IV and VI are end 'elevational views of the structures shown in Figures III and V.l

This invention is embodied in an evaporating unit consisting of a header 1 formed of a cylindrical shell 41, closed at one end and open at the other as indicated at 2. The opening 24is partially closed by an annular ring 3 secured in fluid tight contact with the shell 41. Screw threaded openings 4 are provided in the ring 3 to receive bolts 5 securing a head 6 in position. The head 6 carries on the externalsurface thereof couplings 42 and 43, associated with openings therein communicating with the interior of the header 1. Liquid refrigerant is admitted to the header through aconduit 8 associated with the coupling 43. `Graseous' refrigerant is withdrawn from the header through a suction line 7 associated with the coupling 42.-

The suction line 7 communicates with the low side of al refrigerant compressor-condenser structure, not shown, and the liquid line Scommunicates with the high side of the same structure.

The interiorsurface of the headis provided with a boss 44 surrounding the opening communicating with the coupling 43. An extension 12 of the boss 44 projects into the interior of the header 1. One -end of an arm 11 is pivotally connected to the projecting member that it will float 12 and the other end secured to a float 9. A needle valve for closing the orifice surrounded by the boss 44 is pivotally connected conduits 15, having their lower ends closed,

communicate with the header 1 on the lower side and toward the forward end thereof, as at 16. Another pair of conduits 17, having their lower ends 31 closed, communicates with the header 1 at the rear end thereof and at substantially the oil level contained therein, as indicated at 18. The normal level of oil and refrigerant in the header 1 is indicated at 26 and 25 in Figure II. A lubricant lighter than the liquid refrigerant is used, so

on top of the liquid refrigvhead 6 is disposed above the opening through erant in the evaporator and can be returned to the condenser through the suction line.

Communication is provided between conduits 15 and 17 by three sets of conduits, 19, 20y and 21. Each of these sets consist of four separate conduits as best shown in FigureII. A plurality of vertically disposed n members 22 are secured to each set of conduits. Each lin member is in intimate thermal relation with each of the conduits in the set with which' it is associated. The conduits 19, 2O and 21 are disposed so as to incline upwardly from conduits 15 to conduits 17.

The structure shown inFigures III and IV.

differs from that shown in Figures I and II only in the number and arrangement of the conduits associated with the header 1. Three conduits 25 are' connected to the header 1 to increase the heat transfer surface thereof. Eachyof said conduits has oneend in communication with the header at the lower side of the forward part thereof and the other end in communication with the header at the rear part thereof and above .the liquid refrigerant level therein. The conduits have, in addition to portions inI vertical relation to the header l, a portion in horizontal relation thereto. Vertical fin members 26 are securedy in thermal contact with the horizontal por:

tions of the conduits 25, each fin being in intimate metallic contact with each of the conduits 25.

yIn Figures V and VI is shown a structure in which a conduit 27 having both of its` ends in communication with the header 1 forms a continuous circulatory pathway therewith. rlhe conduit 27 has a vertical portion in communication with the `lower side of the forward end of the header 1 and a vertical portion in* communication with the rear end of the header at substantially the oil vlevel therein. Between these vertical portions is a portion in horizontal relation to the-header. ,A pair of horizontally disposed conduits 28 provide additional means for communication between the two vertical portions of the conduit 27. A plurality of refrigerant is circulated, and that a positive circulation of refrigerant is provided for by the arrangement of the conduits shown. lt will also be observed that the structure disclosed herein provides a refrigerant evaporator having vertical dimensions greater than its horizontal dimensions.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structure disclosed Aherein is merely illustrative of the invention and that many modifications and changes may be made in such 'structure without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the 'scope of the appended claims.

l claim: 1. A cooling unit for refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontally disposed header member, refrigerant conveying means depending from said header and comprising a plurality of pairs of conduits, each pair dverging angularly from the header so that their lower extremities project beyond the Aends of the header, means for closing the lower end of each conduit, a plurality of superposed pairs of horizontally inclined conduits connecting said refrigerant conveying means, and a plurality of heat conducting fins disposed substantially perpendicularly to each set of pairs of horizontally inclined conduits, whereby' to provide a plurality of superposed banks of finned conduits disposed below said headerand collectively providing the greater portion of the pair diverging angularly from the header so` that their lower extremities project beyond the ends of the header, one of said conduits having its upper extremity in communication with the header below the level of liquid refrigerant therein and the other conduit having Aits upper extremity in communica tion with the header above the level of liquid refrigerant therein, means for closing the lower end of each conduit, a plurality of superposed pairs of horizontally inclined conduits connecting said conveying means, and a plurality of heat conducting ns disposed substantially perpendicularly to each set of airs of horizontally inclined conduits, where y to provide a plurality of superposed banks of nned conduits disposed below said header and collectively providing the greater portion .of the surface of said cooling unit.

ln testimony whereof l hereuntoafx my signature. 1

FREDERICK R. ERBACH.

l no 

